An essential weapon to detect immunized people.
Serological tests are essential to retrospectively identify antibodies to the virus. Especially since many people have been infected without showing any symptoms.
Immunity tests can also be used as a priority screening for at-risk groups or healthcare workers. For the latter category, it can be reassuring to see the presence of antibodies in the blood.
The Roche pharmaceutical laboratory began distributing these precious tests at the start of this week to laboratories in countries accepting CE marking, including Belgium. Tens of millions of these tests will be produced each month.
According to Severin Schwan, CEO of the pharmaceutical giant, the tests are practically foolproof: they are 99.8% accurate, it seems, which is enormous for such tests.
“Our best scientists have worked tirelessly for the past few weeks and months on a reliable antibody test to help fight the pandemic”said Thomas Schinecker, CEO of Roche Diagnostics. “We are committed to helping labs provide healthcare providers and their patients with fast, accurate and reliable test results.”
Antibodies are detected in the blood. The test result can be known after only 18 minutes.
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